You CAN eat Healthy on a budget

Soooo, I've been trying to make some positive changes around here - one being stick to a good budget and another being trying to eat healthier. I will be the first to admit that those two things don't always go well together! It's a fact that healthy, WHOLE foods DO cost more than buying cheap, unhealthy, convenience foods. But who wants to sacrifice good health for a cheaper price tag?

My goal has been to stick to {about} $100 each week for our grocery budget. We live in a VERY expensive state and we are a family of four, so this is no easy task. There are definitely some weeks that I go WAY over that budget and especially on weeks when I need to add household items but on this particular week I was able to get everything you see in the pictures below for $93 and that was with NO coupons.

Also, I DO have some things on hand already, a few things in the freezer and the pantry ... and like I said, I didn't need any household items this week. But overall I thought I did pretty well considering most of it is stuff that is good for you.

PANTRY ITEMS:
1 bag croutons {we are doing a salad bar for dinner this wk and the girls requested these & the bacon bits, otherwise I wouldn't have bought either one}
1 jar bacon bits
1 box sugar free jello
1 box sugar free pudding
2 boxes healthy harvest pasta
1 box green tea bags
1 can peaches {my girls love}
1 bottle of ranch {for my daughter}
1 bag pita chips {hubby's snack of choice with his hummus}

FRIDGE/FREEZER ITEMS:

1 carton unsweetened almond milk

1 bag pierogies {for the girl's lunch}

1 carton eggs

1 bag green beans

1 bag corn

hummus {for hubby}

butter

forgot to put these in the last photo:

1 lb butter

3 Chobani greek yogurt {my fave}

MEATS:
1 whole chicken {not very big but will be enough for a meal}
1 lb ground turkey
1 pork loin
perdue short cuts {wouldn't normally buy but these are for the salad bar night}
3 packs imitation crab meat {another of hubby's fave snacks}

VEGGIES:
1 lg bag romaine lettuce
1 bag spinach
1 {5 lb} bag carrots
2 packs grape tomatoes
2 sweet potatoes
4 cucumbers

FRUITS:
7 bananas
6 Gala apples
1 pck strawberries
6 lemons

Meals I plan to have this week are:

T - Turkey Meatloaf with Sweet Potato fries and Green Beans

W - Egg Salad Sandwiches {on Awana night when we need to get out the door}TH - Whole Chicken with Corn and Salad

F - Salad Bar night

S - Pork Loin with Potatoes and Broccoli

SU - Tacos {daughter's request for her family bday party}


Overall I think I used my budget fairly well this week. I have some good, healthy meals planned and lots of fresh fruits and veggies on hand to encourage healthy choices.

What are some of your tips for stretching your budget to allow for healthy choices??